Hard Times, Again

My mom has two older sisters – Kathy is the oldest and Terry is next. The three of them are hilarious together. Their relationship always made me wish I had a sister.

my mom, Terry, and Kathy at my wedding shower

We grew up hearing about the adventures the three of them (and their brothers Tim and Tommy) had, getting into trouble, making each other eat grass, bringing home everything from ducks to turtles to dogs.

My Aunt Kathy is an English professor, and I always think of her when I write. Not that she would ever email me to correct my grammar or syntax, but I didn’t ever want to give her a reason to. She helped my brother and me immensely when we were writing our college entrance essays. When I was an undergrad, I took a critical studies film class (her other area of expertise) and I never would have made it through that class without her.

Kathy and my Uncle Bill met when they were twenty years old, and have been married since 1969.

dancing at my wedding

Last week, Kathy was grading papers and preparing her students’ final grades when my uncle noticed she was having a hard time concentrating. Then, he suddenly realized she couldn’t speak. He rushed her to the hospital, where scans showed she had a four centimeter tumor, a two centimeter tumor, and a lesion in her brain.

My mom, Annabel, and I spent yesterday in San Diego, where my aunt and uncle live. I accompanied them to a neurology appointment, where the news was completely different than we were expecting – instead of hearing about brain tumor treatments, the doctor told us the tumors were caused by lung cancer. The cancer in her lungs metastasized in her brain. She hasn’t smoked a single cigarette in her whole life.

Brain surgery is not an option, because the tumors are on both sides of her brain, and the neurologist thinks there could be more that aren’t big enough to show in scans. Today, my aunt, uncle, and other aunt will go to the oncologist to decide on how to proceed.

Every day Madeline was in the NICU, Kathy sent me a card to read to Maddie. They were all different. Sometimes she’d cheer Maddie’s recent improvements, other times she would tell a story about my grandmother. Every day, she thought about us. After Maddie died, she and Bill came right up, and she gave me another card that I keep in my bedside table, so precious the words in it are to me.

It’s hard to wrap my mind around this…I feel like we all can’t catch our breath before it’s something else. One thing I know is we will be there for my aunt and uncle, just as they have been here for Mike and me.

I follow you on twitter and saw the link for this post, I am so very sorry about your aunt and will be praying for her and your family. She sounds like an amazing person and to have helped you through such a hard time in your life in such a sweet way. Your writing is so Beautiful ( brought the tears out )and I am sure she is very proud.

i am so sorry that you have to go through this. not that anyone deserves it, ever. unfortunately i’ve had a family member in the hospital for the past three weeks and i can relate. i wish you and your family the best of luck.

Vic says:

Alice says:

I am so, so sorry to hear this. I’ll keep your family in my thoughts and prayers – even more than I do already. And I think that somewhere Maddie is giving a sweet kiss to your Aunt Kathy and working her magic… so have faith.

I am so sorry to hear the news. After living in this hospital with my Grampa for almost 2 months, I have seen people come back from very bad news, to happily walk out when discharged. I wish such a miracle for your Aunt, Uncle and your entire Family.
Your Family will be in our Prayers. Hugs!

I am so sorry about this bad news. I too have two aunts who are my mum’s sisters and our family has also been touched by cancer. I can imagine how devastating this must be. Hoping for some good news in the near future. Will think of and pray for your aunt.

Jennifer says:

This post just brought tears to my eyes. You are so lucky to have such a strong and supportive family that is full of love.
I just love that picture of her and her husband dancing. Pictures are are precious but this one….you can feel the passion in this picture.
I am so sorry for the new. I will pray for your family during this time.

Tam. says:

Heather, I am so sorry. Your aunt, uncle and the rest of your family will be in my prayers. You are obviously a close knit crew.

I love the picture of your aunt and uncle dancing at your wedding. It calls to my mind the song ” still crazy after all these years”. I am glad to see your aunt has such a strong support system standing behind her and beside her.

Another one of Life’ cruel tricks. I wish you all strength in times to come, and I hope your aunt does not have to suffer.
Will send good vibes, you never know they might help a little from afar. It’s so unfair!

Kristen says:

Hi Heather. I haven’t commented in awhile but I want to send all the prayers I can to your aunt, uncle and your whole family. As someone who has dealt with a loved who has cancer….I can only imagine what is going through their minds. I hope things work out for the best. Sending hugs.

defendUSA says:

Robyn says:

Oh Gosh, you poor things. Your family has gone through so much. All our hope and best wishes to your aunt and the rest of your family. Please make sure she knows there are people all over the world thinking of her and sending there prayers and best wishes in her direction.

Stacy says:

I am so very sorry to hear this news about your aunt Kathy. She sounds like a wonderful woman and reminds me of my aunt Jeanne, who we lost when Lukas was 3 weeks old and she, too, was a huge cheerleader/prayer leader when Lukas was in the NICU. Sending Kathy, Bill and your entire family thoughts, prayers and love.

Heather, I am so so sorry about this. This post brought me to tears. The same thing happened to my grandfather: brain tumors that were actually caused by lung cancer. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Susan says:

Oh Heather, I am so sorry to hear this. My mother was one of 3 sisters, as am I also. There is such a closeness in this relationship, we tell stories and remind each other of the endings, sometimes correcting that the story was actually belonging to the OTHER one of us!!
I know that as your Aunt was there for you, your whole family will be there for her as well.
Our days here are precious and, in the end…all we need is LOVE.
I will keep your Aunt and Uncle in my prayers.

Oh, Heather, I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with your Aunt and Uncle as they navigate this diagnosis. My father-in-law had the very same diagnosis.. lung cancer that hd metastisized into the brain and optic nerves. The difference is that he was a smoker most of his adult life.

Sue says:

Oh, Heather,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear about your Aunt Kathy. I sit here with tears running down my face for the sadness that your family has got to go through once again. To have supported you & Mike, like she did; I know that you will do the very same for her. Please let her know that all of your many, many, friends are holding her in our thoughts & prayers, and wishing her well. She definitely sounds like one of the best,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Rhonda says:

My thoughts exactly!! My daughter bought a shirt that said that on it, at a concert!! Her Daddy, died of cancer at the age of 47, she was only 12. Cancer SUCKS! Fuck cancer! Hopefully, Heather’s Aunt will come through!! Sad.

Rachel Stoehr says:

Nellie says:

Ohh, my prayers and thoughts are with your Aunt and your entire family. I consider my own Aunt (my mom’s sister) as my 2nd mom so reading this made me think of how truly blessed we are to have such wonderful, amazing, life nourishing Aunts and Uncles in our lives!!

My heart aches for you and I know your Aunt, no matter what the outcome will be, your Aunt will have an abundance of love, support and faith surrounding her — her family!

suzanne says:

I will be thinking of your wonderful aunt, who is such a presence and a force in your life. She sounds like an amazing woman — an accomplished educator, a mentor, a source of tremendous support in hard times, and great fun in good times. Much love to you and to Aunt Kathy.

Tia says:

Oh Heather, my heart stopped when I read this. Your family has had to go thru so much. Not this too, I’m so very sorry. I hope they are able to put a plan in place for her recovery. Hugs and Kisses to your family. Susan

I am so sorry to read this, how devastating for your aunt, uncle and especially your mom. I have 4 sisters & our mom died of breast cancer so I know the chances of one of us getting it are pretty good. I don’t know what I would do if one of my sisters got sick. Prayers for your family…

Karen says:

Nikki says:

Words seem so trite in a situation like this, but Heather PLEASE know that I’m so sorry that your aunt is facing a crisis like this. I will send special prayers for you and your family and I pray that the oncologist will have something positive to give your family.

tonya says:

Cancer rocked our world two years ago when it took my 59 year old father followed four months later by his father. My heart breaks when I hear of someone new being diagnosed. I am in tears now, and I will be praying for all of you. My mom is one of eleven, and I have lots of wonderful, crazy aunts myself. Cancer is a powerful thing, but here’s what it CANNOT do:

Jill says:

This is just awful news. I hate when cancer appears for any reason but when it appears like this and you are hit like a ton of bricks. The mere thought that someone you love and care for so much having to deal with this pain. I know you know this all too well… but it doesn’t get any easier to deal with.

I would urge you to tell her to seek other doctor’s opinions if the one she meets with first does not have good options. I recently went through and experience with a friend where one dr./hospital said it was hopeless and another dr./hospital totally cured him!

Just a reminder to make sure she does that! Wishing her lots of luck!!

Tami says:

Heather, I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt…..mine are most special to me too. I’d love to send Kathy cards of encouragement or just to say I am thinking of her. If you’d send me an address, that would be great, you can contact me from my blog. Of course, I will pray too for her and the doctors wisdom in helping her. Hugs……

Tamela says:

Three years ago my mom found out she had breast cancer. Three days later, my dad found out he had prostate cancer. It was an awful period in our lives and we had some rough times getting trough that year. Luckily, they both had wonderful care and after prostate surgery for my dad, breast surgery, chemo and radiation for my mom, they are both doing great and are cancer-free. It’s a very hard road to recovery, and some deal with it better than others (my mom went into a deep depression, while my dad felt he had a new lease on life.) I’m hoping and praying that your aunt has a success story.

Meg says:

Heather, I read your blog every day but have never commented until now… I work in the fundraising office at Mass General Hospital in Boston, which may seem far away, but we have some of the best research and clinical trials for cancer (particularly lung cancer) in the world… I’m not a doctor or a nurse but I know a bit about some of our programs and it may be worth it for your aunt to reach out to them (or ask her doctors for their opinion on some of the studies relating to genotyping). The doctors here have saved/extended the lives of many people who were told everywhere else that hope was lost. Good luck – and remember that miracles are possible!! Website to some info is here: http://www.massgeneral.org/genotyping/index.html?utm_source=mni&utm_medium=offline&utm_campaign=fingerprint

Kim says:

Heather I am soo so sorry to hear this news about your aunt. I will be praying for you and all your family. I know this has to be so hard for everyone. It seems when things are finally looking up and you can catch your breath it feels like you just get knocked down again. I lost 2 of my brothers to suicide 2 1/2 years apart and it seemed like once we caught our breath from the 1st tragedy and were able to “live” again we were struck down again. I just want to let you know that you are a huge inspiration to me and I am so glad I found your blog. Hope you will get better news soon.

Abby says:

marilyn says:

I read your blog every morning. I don’t know you, but yours and Mike’s writings always make me feel something. My heart aches for you and family, but we have some amazing doctors here in San Diego and I will hope for the best for your aunt. She sounds like a fighter!

thinking of you heather! my mom is two years in remission from lung cancer. when she first was sick, we heard the worst about lung cancer. but, she’s been a trooper and made it through. i just wanted you to hear that – keep the hope.

LT says:

Mary says:

Heather, I’m so sorry. My grandmother had the same thing happen. Hers started with double vision and what we thought might be the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. By the time she was diagnosed there wasn’t much that could be done for her. I hope your aunt is more fortunate.

I’m so sorry to hear about this. Cancer sucks. Not the most elegant way to put it, but the truest. . . I’ll be keeping your whole family in my thoughts, hoping that there’s some happiness and hope to be found. Love to you and yours.

Becky says:

I’m so so sorry Heather!! The same thing happened with my best friend’s mother. The symptoms started with the brain and they found the tumors there and then they checked the lungs….which they always do, because lung cancer always metastisizes (sp?) to the brain first and sure enough she had lung tumors. Luckily, they were able to operate (2 craniotomies and then lung surgery) and she has been cancer free for a couple of years now.

I will pray for your aunt and your family. Miracles happen every day……..

My friend’s dad just found out that he has stage IV lung cancer as well, and they gave him six months to a year to live. I pray your aunt has a better road, because of the pain you’ve already been through, and because I’m seeing first-hand the pain that cancer has caused to so many I love this year alone.

Amélie says:

I’m so sorry. I really hope everything turns out fine. I know how helpless I felt when i heard my brother has a spinal(? I’m not sure that’s the way it’s said in English) tumor.
Whatever happens, I wish you and your family a lot of strength to go through this

My heart is aching for you and your family right now. You’ll all be in my thoughts as you meet this newest challenge head-on. It’s obvious how much you and your family love and care about each other, and I hope the doctors are able to help your aunt recover.

laura says:

Now that that’s out of the way, I wanted to tell you how very sorry I am. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer about 6 weeks ago, and began chemo yesterday. He too never smoked, and I am struggling to understand why he has gotten cancer.

I will add you and your family to my daily prayers. I hope she finds answers, and I know you and your family will enjoy every minute you have with her as you always have.

Lisa from WV says:

I follow your blog religiously… which makes me feel like a bit of a voyeur – especially because I never, ever comment … until today.

My aunt (oldest of three girls) had the EXACT same thing (at least it sounds that way). She was diagnosed with lung cancer (never smoked a day in her life), went through aggressive treatment and was “cured.” A little over five years later, she started having memory and speech issues … diagnosis: brain tumors – metastasized lung cancer. Devastating. LONG story short, they brought her to UVA to undergo Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Today she is cancer free.

There is a Gamma Knife Center in San Diego – http://www.sdgkc.com. Every situation is different and I don’t know if your aunt is a candidate for the procedure … but I felt absolutely compelled to reach out to you.

Oh Heather – I’m so sorry about your aunt. I want you to know how special your family sounds. It’s no surprise how kind and caring you are (or at least, how much so you come across via your blog).

My mom’s eldest is sister is losing her fight with cancer and instead of the kindness and love you and your family are showing, her family (my family) is messed up, back-biting, and awful. This post, wow, this post… Thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry for your family. I’m hoping for the best for your aunt. You’re all in my prayers.

Tracy says:

Jeannine says:

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts today.
I don’t know you, but I read your blog every day.
You constantly inspire me and I hope that someday I’ll be half the lady you are.
I’m hoping for the best & sending lots of love!

Ashley says:

Heather, I am so sorry. My mom had cancer and it was the scariest thing in the world for me to go through.

Incidentally, my mom is a French teacher in San Diego. When she went through her cancer, all the teachers in her district sprang to action. They donated sick time so she could get treatment. Your aunt is in good company.

Heather, I am so sorry to see this happening to y’all. I have a dear friend that had this EXACT scenario…lung cancer that was found after it metastisized to the brain. Although the prognosis wasn’t originally good, she is doing fabulously and will probably double the original estimate of time she has left.

Cara says:

Heather,
What terrible news. I’m so sorry. I am one of three girls and my sisters are soooo special to me, my best friends. So reading this really hit me hard. You and your aunt and your whole family are in my thoughts & prayers.

Glenda says:

Heather I’m so sorry this his happening to your Aunt. She sounds like an amazing aunt. I have 3 aunts and the youngest is my kids fav aunt. Praying for you, your mom and aunts and rest of family. Sending you hugs XX

Monica says:

Wow…I can’t believe this. I have a friend who had sugery last month for two brain tumors, only to find out that she actually has lung cancer that has metastasized to her brain and two other areas. It was a complete shock because, like your aunt, she has never been a smoker.

Chrisie says:

Marti from Michigan says:

I too am so sorry to hear this Heather. Please know, there is still hope. There are advances in chemotherapy now, and radiation treatment. Your aunt is still young enough to enjoy life much longer, and she will probably have to have a bunch of scans to isolate what type and where the cancer is, so if your family chooses chemo and radiation treatments, they can aim them right at the cancer, including the lesions in her brain.

There was just recently something on the evening news with Brian Williams about some kind of chemotherapy that wipes out melanoma with a high success rate, of course that’s melanoma.

I will continue to keep your family in my prayers, which I have been all along since I heard about Maddie, and I prayed all through your pregnancy with Annabel, and now I will continue to pray for your family and your aunt and uncle.

Your whole family is really cool and you guys are just so lucky to have them!

Heather! I am so so sorry to hear the sad news about your aunt. I know your feeling about not being able to catch a break and I am praying for your family. Not sure if you ever have checked out my blog, but I have a brain tumor (primary, not mets) and have dealt with it since 2007. I have learned my way around a neuro dept, if you ever want to contact me off-line for any info on dealing with brain tumors and how to find good doctors/etc. Not sure I can help, but as a semi-pro patient who has learned much over the years, wanted to offer. All my best, J

Tina says:

Krista says:

Oh, Heather that is so hard to hear. I have been there. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when i was 17 she has been in remition for 7 yrs. now, and my father in-law just finished radiation. It’s such a hard thing to deal with. My heart goes out to your family, i will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Michelle in MO says:

I am so sorry to hear this. My mom and I are having a hard time right now with our immediate family. The root of the problem is my own uncle (mom’s brother) who died of the same exact cancer situation in 2001. It just doesn’t make any sense.

JaclynNigon says:

I am so sorry to hear of yet another hardship for your family to face. My heart and prayers go out to your aunt and family. I know how precious aunties are! From the photos you shared, she is obviously one of the great ones.

Beth says:

Heather,
I have been following your blog for quite some time, but I rarely ever comment.
This post hits close to home for me. My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was 13. Although, unlike your Aunt, she had a 3 pack a day habit. In her case, it also metastasized to her brain before she was diagnosed. She was driving, had a seizure, and went across 4 lanes of oncoming traffic on a normally busy road. Her fight only lasted 10 months. I was 14 when she passed almost 9 years ago.
Although you, Mike, Maddie, and Annie are always in my thoughts, now I will keep your Aunt in my thoughts as well.

Molly says:

Rosa says:

Perhaps you will not have time to read this but one of my Aunts, whom I am extremely close with has the EXACT SAME disease right now. She has never smoked and went to the dr to find she had stage 4 non small cell lung cancer that had mets in her brain, liver, and adrenal glands. She was able to have a Gamma knife surgery (your aunt must look this up!) to remove the brain tumors (which were also small and inoperable the traditional way). After several rounds of radiation and chemo not doing much, she recently started taking Tarceva which has been short of a miracle!! Her lung tumors are almost GONE as well as the other mets. Her quality of life is back to pre-diagnosis. She was originally given a 3-6 month survival rate and is now almost in remission after 15 months of diagnosis.

I wish your Aunt the best in her new journey. This disease is horrible but she can fight it and win!! My dear Aunt is a testament.

My aunt died of brain cancer in August of 2007. She had gone in for her mamo-gram in June of 2006, and they had found a small spot of breast cancer for the second time, she scheduled her biopsy for a month later as she was going on a mission trip with her church in the month of July. When she got home, she was out working in her yard and kept getting really dizzy, and one of her legs kept going numb. Her friend took her to the ER, and that’s when they found the lesions on her brain. Inoperable. She did have radiation, and some chemo, and those treatments helped for a bit.

I know how devastating this can be. My family is really small, we just celebrated my oldest daughters graduation from high school, and we were all here celebrating without her. She’d have been so proud of my girl.

SO much love and so many thoughts coming your way; in my family we too have known people who have died from lung cancer without having ever smoked a cigarette. It is possibly just the most hateful disease and as a teacher too it breaks my heart to walk along the street and see beautiful bright young things smoking themselves into an early grave. That is bad enough when brought on yourself but when you didn’t even court it it’s even words. Take care x

Bridget says:

Missy says:

Heather, I am SO sorry to hear about your aunt. She is in my thoughts and prayers. we are going through the same ting with my father in law. ALthough he was a smoker, he a half a lung removed due to lung cancer, but the doctor told them he got it all and didn’t need chemo. 6 months later they found the lesions in his brain that had metastisized from his lungs. Had they done the chemo after the initial surgery, it might have caught the brain cancer before it got bad. Now, it’s inoperable. He underwent radiation treatment, and the leasions have stabilized for now, they’re not getting bigger, but they’re not getting smaller. either. It’s just a waiting game now, and I think that is the worst part. We are all trying to make as many memories as we can, while we still can. Right now, blessedly, his fairly unsymptomatic, and fully functional, thank goodness. So, please know that I can relate to how you are feeling and that you are all in my prayers everyday!

Louise says:

Amy says:

My dad was just diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. We go to the oncologist tomorrow to see what the plan is. Up until we heard the “c” word my mom insisted it was a fur ball Dad just needed to cough up. He is also a non-smoker. I can well understand the shock and disbelief you and your family are feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I have experienced infertility and miscarriages and hated that crack heads could have semi-healthy babies and pregnancies at the drop of a dime. Now I hate that someone who has always lead a healthy life-style now deals with this dreaded disease.

I am so sorry for your family. My aunt died suddenly a few years ago and it crippled our family. I remember at the time I wrote a post about big, close families, being both a blessing and a curse all at the same time. ((((HUGS))))

JustAMom says:

My goodness Heather! It’s trite but I truly am sorry you are facing yet another horrible time. I wish there was a perfect thing to say. We’re absolutley praying for you and your family. As something that may or may not offer hope, we have a very dear friend here in good ol’ Canada that was diagnosed 10 years ago with a brain tumor that was the size of a grapefruit. They gave her a very short life sentence. It was seriuos enough to paralize a portion of her face and had her doing “final” things with her kids because she was sure she would see a year. After some alternative treatments and other journeys her tumour is the size of a lego block and she’s carrying on.

While I’m not saying that’s the case for your Aunt, I’m just saying don’t ever let one doctor put a final say on anything! Again, I’m so sorry and hope with all my heart that good news comes your way soon!

Liz B. says:

God, Heather. I read your blog every day. Have for so long now I feel like I know your family, so I guess it’s no surprise that I’m now in tears for your aunt and your family. I will pray for her and for you.

Heather, I am so sorry this is happening. Your aunt Kathy and your family will be in my prayers. What a beautiful family you have. Your mom and her sister’s look like triplets. They really do. May you all be strong in this scary time.

Leslie says:

Karyn says:

Heather – my mom’s best friend went through this and has started an incredible foundation to eradicate lung cancer. She is very interested in non-smokers who get lung cancer. Here is her website in case it is of use to you and your family:

Jess says:

Cancer took my grandma from my life seven years ago. She was really the only one I could talk to in my life, and to say these last 7 years of my life have been rough doesn’t even say the half of it.

My grandma was a wonderful lady, much like your aunt. She would tell me stories about when she was little. From the time I could remember I would say “Grandma tell me a story about when you were little”. I cherish those the most. I’ve started to write them down so I can tell my younger cousins one day. Maybe just to keep close to her.

I don’t know why bad things happen to good people. I wish I could wave a wand, say a special prayer direct to God’s ears, anything so you won’t have to go through this again. All I can offer you is my support, and continued prayers. I’m sorry Heather, i truly truly am.

anne says:

Heather – I kind of feel like I have no place posting a comment, since I’ve been just a lurker here for the last 2 years (my blogging friends will tell you that I never comment on their blogs either, and it drives them crazy). ANYWAY, I was in your shoes, so to speak, 8 months ago when my mom fell ill very suddenly. She was also diagnosed with lung cancer (small cell) which had metastasized to her skull, liver, lymph nodes and spine. The statistics are stacked against her… 6 months to a year… 8 months later and she has kicked cancer’s ass so far… her tumors are almost all gone and she has made a miraculous recovery. We know time is not on her side, but we’re savoring every day we have. I know your family is amazingly strong and you all will never give up… keep the faith and pray often! I will keep your aunt in my prayers too.

Mary says:

If anybody says to you that a person never gets more than they can handle, please punch them right in the mouth. Hard…and with lots of big rings on your fingers. I wish I had something to say that was absolutely perfect and would help you in some way, but all I can think of is that sometimes life just really sucks. There’s no reason behind it…no grand plan.
If I suddenly got one wish, it would be that cancer did not exist. Not that it could be cured, but that it was gone forever. Because a disease that can hit people who have never smoked and miss people who smoke like chimneys? Why on earth does something like THAT need to be around?
For whatever it’s worth, I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts in the coming weeks. Please let your aunt know that I’m thinking of her.

oh, this is horrible! i am SO sorry. my god, this is a lot for yall. i’ll pray for you and yours, that treatment will heal, that you and she will be sending cards to each other years and years from now.

Dana says:

=( I’m sorry Heather, I will remember your aunt in my prayers. I know how you feel, I lost 6 family members (including a fav uncle of mine a week before my wedding) to lung cancer. But they were all smokers, so as you can guess I’m very anti-smoking. It sucks big time when it happens to a non-smoker since they did nothing to themselves to cause it. =( I’m sorry

Sarah says:

Chris says:

I am so very, very sorry Heather. My mom (also a life long non smoker) battled lung cancer for just over two years. Reading this, and the comments here, I’m thinking “non smoker” and “lung cancer” aren’t quite as rare as we tend to think they are.

I wish I had something positive to report, some good outcome, or silver lining, but as you know better than most–we don’t all get our fairytale endings.

Erin says:

I haven’t read through all the comments, so please forgive me if I duplicate something.

I wanted to share some sites regarding brain tumours. Some of them are Canadian, since that’s were I live, but I’m sure if you needed to contact anyone there they would be happy to help, it is the Canadian way!http://www.braintumor.orghttp://www.braintumour.ca

Kishana says:

I’ve been one of your long-time readers but I’ve never posted before. I’m terribly sorry to hear about your aunt Kathy. I will be praying for her and your whole family as I’ve prayed for Maddie before.

Oh – I know exactly how you feel, and I am so very sorry. Just a few short weeks ago, we learned that my mom has breast cancer. What next? Is all I can think of – BUT in those very few short weeks, we raised over $2,000 for the Race for the Cure, assembled a team of 12 to walk the 5k with us in her honor/support and have reached several hundred people locally with her story. She has surgery on July 1st, followed by radiation and she is going to rock it. So will your Aunt Kathy…I just know it. All my best to you and your entire family.

Jenny Spicer says:

My mother-in-law had the exact same thing happen to her. Pain in her hip, which we expected to be diagnosed as arthritis, was in actuality cancer that had come from her lungs – and she never smoked a single day in her life, either. Eventually the cancer moved into her brain.

I guess what I’m trying to impart here is that I understand what you’re going through on some level and want you to know that you are not alone. My prayers will be with you and your aunt and the rest of your family as you all go through this.